Public Statements

Rep. Grimm Criticizes Mishandling of Intel in Libya Attack

Statement

"The violence in Libya, Egypt, and now Yemen is a clear indicator that we cannot put our full faith in a host nation's security forces, and that we must take more proactive measures to protect the safety of U.S. officials working abroad. It is unfathomable that as we approached the anniversary of 9/11, that security at our embassies and consulates was not heavily increased to an adequate level.

"Furthermore, if there was in fact solid intel regarding an attack on the consulate in Benghazi, why was it ignored? Why weren't the Marines guarding the embassy in Tripoli sent to guard the consulate in Benghazi in an effort to heighten security? Or why weren't additional forces sent to increase our security presence? It is this type of poor decision-making that has cost us American lives, and I find that reprehensible.

"As our FBI and U.S. Marine Corps send teams to Libya to protect American citizens and gather intel, I am fully confident that they have the specialized training and tools to handle the situation; however, it is unfortunate that their role is now reactionary. A heightened security presence should have never been an afterthought.

"At the end of the day, it is the full responsibility of the United States to protect its citizens. This important task cannot be delegated to the Libyan government or to the Cairo police who stood idly by as protesters climbed our embassy walls and desecrated the American flag. As a country, we have a responsibility to protect our citizens and any failure to do so is completely unacceptable as it continues to put American lives at risk."